For so many, college graduation officially marks the end of 22 years of full-time schooling, closing the chapter on extra curricular activities that they’ve invested a lifetime pursuing. Documenting the milestone with portraits is important, and while planning a college cap and gown session is similar to making high school portraits, my years spent photographing college seniors on the beautiful campuses in North Carolina have taught me a thing or two to consider… I want to share those with you.

1. Consider Wait Times:

A typical portrait session lasts about an hour, but ask your photographer how they take into account the size of your campus, and the walking distance between the spots that are important to you. Remember too, that in the weeks before graduation, whether that be December or May, there will be a lot of other seniors who are just getting their caps and gowns, and who will be on campus wanting photos in those same spots. Professional photographers are usually considerate of others waiting in line, can work around one another, and will be quick and efficient photographing their seniors at the campus “hot spots,” but often you might find yourselves behind people who take their time without consideration of those behind them or of the waning daylight. College sessions are all about hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worst… and having plans B and C ready just in case.

2. What Are Your Memories Built Around? Let’s Photograph THAT:

If I had to give one piece of advice to grads for Cap and Gown photos, it would be to include the parts of their college experience that were most formative and unique. For some that might be a dorm, or other building; it might be an athletic team or campus activity, it might be a restaurant or popular bar, or a cup from such a place; you might include an edition of the student newspaper marking a popular event. Let your photographer know the things that colored your time at your university, and bring props with you that represent that.

3. Speaking of Props:

4. Bring a Friend:

I always recommend to the parents or significant other to come ready to jump into a photo or two, and playful pets are always welcomed! But another fun thing to consider is doubling up the session with one friend or more! I mentioned before how sometimes walking to and waiting at hot spots on campus can eat up time, so I often have Seniors who get around the time constraints and also save money by teaming up with friends to combine sessions and double their time, I work efficiently and with balance, so both seniors end up large, beautiful galleries, usually larger than the average each, since we have group pictures mixed with the individuals… plus shooting with friends ends up being a whole lot of fun for all of us.

5. Don’t Forget Your Prints:

We live in a digital age, and digital images are important. That’s how we share our lives now, but don’t forget to protect your investment and memories by PRINTING your portraits. After all, social media can be hacked, and we can’t pass down a USB from generation to generation… but our prints can be. Most of us have a drawer full of USB drives or cd’s full of images that have never been printed, and those files can corrupt or the technology we use to view them can change. The high resolution images with print release come with all of my college grad sessions, but drug store prints can fade over time… so consider investing into at least one statement piece from a professional photo lab, especially if your university is near and dear to your heart.